I've been drinking loose leaf for a few years now though when I first wake up I usually make an espresso (nespresso, for convenience). I have one with the same breakfast on most days (before I ride or swim)...and now to get a little personal, it works well for a visit to the bathroom

Although the prep of the nespresso is quick (a requirement at this time, before I head out for morning exercise...before work), the machine is loud and sometimes my wife is awoken by the noise.

So, because I love tea, and because it's certainly quiet to prepare, I may start having tea shortly after waking up. However, from the times I do have tea first thing in the morning, I don't recall it working so well at prompting the bathroom visit.

Anyone have some info on tea and it's role in encouraging bathroom visits, and what teas may work better?

I start every morning with a pint of hot water with about a tsp. of lemon juice mixed in(lately I've been adding powdered ginger too, for motion sickness). Been doing this for fifteen years. It works the same way as your espresso. =)

My greatest concern around helping to clear things out in the morning is (similar to Chip) usually before a mt. bike or road bicycle ride (It's funny; I've seen this topic on Bicycle forums too. ) or before I meet with my Gong Fu teacher for martial arts in the early mornings...or before a dawn patrol surf on the north coast: few things worse than being 50 yards out into the ocean, all zipped up in 4mm neoprene and having things "start to move."

Either way, I don't drink coffee and also don't like to put tea straight into my stomach upon waking; though my stomach is pretty "iron" and not sensitive. I wake and drink about 24 to 32 ounces of room temp. water and that usually does the job. Though doing as sriracha does sounds pleasant too. During a Master Cleanse I've woken and drank room temp. or slightly warmed water with maple syrup, lemon, and cayenne and that seemed to work great every time, even after not having eaten for days. However, tea usually does help get things moving for me, though not as intensely as coffee has in the past.

Coffee beans have a natural protective coating that has a laxative effect; tea won't do the same thing, that's for sure. Considered a Vietnamese coffee maker? I use one most mornings now and coffee really gets me going. Tea is much milder, more relaxing and even euphoric (seriously) after all the coffee I've been drinking. I think I'll start off my day with coffee and drink tea later on in the day to wind down, with occasional coffee-free days so my tolerance doesn't get too high!

I always used to drink espresso first thing in the morning as I'm always in a rush and trying to save time. But it does have the same effect, sending me to the toilet. I guess at this stage, a cup of tea can be had in the same period of time, rather than enduring those espresso effects.